The bulk of illegal abortions were done by physicians. Here are some of the fatal results of their good intentions.
Mary Ackerly
Mary's seducer kept her in a brothel while he arranged for the abortion that took her life in 1846.
Julia Agoston
In 1928, 24-year-old Julia died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Anton Feher and Dr. Helen Moskowitz were held in the death.
Doris Alexander
In 1938, 30-year-old Doris died from a criminal abortion in Oklahoma. John Dillinger's doctor was charged in her death.
Anna Anderson
In October of 1915, Anna, a 25-year-old unmarried woman, went to the office of Dr. A. A. Ausplund seeking an abortion.
Emmy Anderson
In 1929, Dr. Sven Windrow performed a fatal abortion on 19-year-old Emmy at a Chicago location.
Madelyn Anderson
In 1924, Madelyn died at Chicago's Washington Park Hospital from back alley abortion complications. Dr. Louise Achtenberg was arrested for Madelyn's death.
Alice Annalora
In March of 1926, 19-year-old Alice died at the County Hospital in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. Dr. Wilford Vine was booked for Alice's death.
Auna Arola
In 1927, 31-year-old Auna died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Vincent Tonavena was arrested.
Olive Ash
Accompanied by her twin sister, Olivia, Olive went to Dr. William Howard's home to secure an abortion in 1858.
Helen Bain
In November of 1925, 23-year-old Helen died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. George Slater was arrested.
Catherine Barnard
Dr. Virgil Jobe of Oklahoma was charged in the 1969 abortion death of Catherine Barnard of Arvada, Colorado.
Alberta Beard
In March of 1930, Alberta, age 29, died at the office of Dr. Davis Lucas from an abortion performed there that day.
Doris Becker
In December of 1948, Dr. Cyril B. Babb pleaded guilty to performing a fatal abortion on Doris Becker the previous Wednesday in his office.
Jemima Beneway
In February of 1858, Jemima's parents and friends thought they were sending her off to be married, not for a fatal abortion at the hands of Dr. Milton Gray.
Hughretta Binkley
In April of 1898, Hughretta "Etta" Binkley went to the residence/office of Dr. Belle Howard, aka Belle Shotwell, for an illegal abortion.
Alice Bloom
Some time in early 1905, 28-year-old Alice Bloom died suddenly in Chicago from an apparent criminal abortion. Dr. Julius N. Goltz as arrested as a principal.
Anna Borndal
In November of 1928, 22-year-old Anna died at the office of Dr. Lou E. Davis of Chicago, from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Esther Wahlstrom and Mary Whitney.
Irma Brown
In November of 1901, 22-year-old Irma Brown of Garden City, Kansas, died at County Hospital from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Robert E. Gray was arrested.
Cora Burke
Cora A. Burke was a 20-year-old who had been widowed about five months. In May of 1899, Cora told Mrs. Martha Johnson that she was about six weeks pregnant and wanted to find a good doctor to perform an abortion. Mrs. Johnson introduced Cora to Dr. R. J. Alcorn.
Annette Camorato
In May of 1934, 19-year-old actress Annette Camorato, stage name Toni Morgan, died of abortion complications. Dr. Harry A. Felice was charged with homicide in Annette's death.
Irene Campbell
In August of 1927, Irene died in the Chicago office of Dr. Herman Webber from an abortion performed there that day.
Amelia Cardito
In February of 1944, Amelia Cardito, 34-year-old mother of 4, underwent an illegal abortion at the office of Dr. Anthony Renda.
Emma Chandler
Dr. J. A. Richmond was arrested for the 1913 abortion death of Emma Chandler.
Joyce Chorney
Joyce Chorney, age 25, died in November of 1953. Fifty-four-year-old Dr. Alfred Joseph was charged with criminal abortion in her death.
Alda Christopherson
Dr. Lillian Hobbs was convicted in the 1916 abortion death of this 21-year-old unmarried Chicago woman.
Jennie P. Clark
Jennie's body was found stuffed into a trunk tossed into the Saugus River in 1879.
Virginia Clark
In February of 1929, Virginia Clark died of complications of a botched, illegal abortion. Virginia was treated prior to her death by a Dr. McArthur, who said that Virginia told him that when she learned that she was pregnant, the man responsible arranged for an abortion to be performed by a doctor.
Lizzie Cook
Suspicious surrounding this woman's death led to an exhumation which uncovered the abortion.
Alice Corbett
In October of 1939, Miss Alice Corbett, age 28, of Brooklyn, New York, died from complications of an illegal abortion. Dr. Allen F. Murphy was sentenced to 2-10 years in Sing-Sing for Alice's death.
Barbara Covington
Dr. Mandel M. Friedman was charged with homicide in the September, 1962 death of Barbara C. Covington, age 35, a Florida socialite. Nearly a year earlier, he had been implicated in the death of Vivian Grant.
Katherine Cross
Katherine was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917. The other was Elise Stone.
Ethel Crowell
Ethel, age 20, died in April of 1930, in the office of Dr. Hans Paulsen, from an abortion performed on her that day.
Roberta Danks
Roberta's abortionist battered and dumped her body to try to make it seem she'd been a hit-and-run victim.
Mary Davies
In December of 1956, 26-year-old Mary Davies of New York City arrived in the Ashland, Pennsylvania office of abortionist Dr. Robert Douglas Spencer. She was seeking an abortion.
Nancy Dawson
In March of 1927, Nancy died on-site from a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. J.F. Peck and midwife Christine Sedwig were booked for murder.
Evelyn Dellorto
In 1930, Evelyn, age 20, died from an illegal abortion believed to have been performed at the office of Dr. Frank Psota.
Katherine DiDonato
In October of 1936, 26-year-old Katherine DiDonato, mother of two, was admitted to Roosevelt Hospital to be treated for complications of a criminal abortion. Detectives were told that Katherine had bought pills from drug clerk Hyman Kantor, who had then recommended Dr. Aloysius Mulholland to perform an abortion.
Gussie Ellergood
In July of 1882, Gussie Ellergood of Carlisle, Illinois, died in a St. Louis hospital. She named Dr. McWilliams as her abortionist.
Loretta Enders
Dr. Amenti Rongetti's death sentence was handed down by a Chicago jury in March of1928. Rongetti had been convicted of murder in the abortion death of 19-year-old Loretta Enders. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Elizabeth Palumbo.
Edith Eschrich
On New Years Eve of 1935, criminal abortion charges were dropped against Dr. Tobias Ginsberg, and his nurse, because of insufficient evidence. The two were suspects in the death of 24-year-old Mrs. Edith Eschrich.
Beatrice Fisher
In 1945, Beatrice died after an abortion performed in his office by Dr. Frank C. Hart in Seattle.
Betty Fisher
In June of 1925, 24-year-old Betty died in the Chicago office of doctors August Goetz and Henry Gautsen from an abortion performed that day.
Mary Foorman
Mary disappeared without a trace in November of 1875. It wasn't until the following May that her brother confessed to helping bury her in a swamp after she died in an abortion he helped to arrange.
Shellane Franklin
In 1927, 27-year-old Shellane, a Black woman, died at the scene of the crime from an abortion performed on her that day. Dr. Gordon Jackson, a white man, was held by the coroner.
Florence Gaiewski
In September of 1903, Mrs. Florence Gaiewski died in St. Mary's Hospital in Chicago from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Ladislaw Slominski was arrested.
Winifred Garver
In June of 1929, 19-year-old Winifred Garver underwent an abortion at the office of Dr. Anna Schultz, aka Rollins.
Mrs. Gies
Shortly after the 1908 abortion death of Mrs. Gies, her abortionist was poisoned.
Lillie Giovenco
In October of 1914, 18-year-old Lillie Giovenco died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion blamed on Drs. Eva Shaver, Leopold Pijan, and John Fernow. Shaver was also responsible for the death of Anna Johnson.
Vivian Grant
In January of 1961, Dr. Mandel M. Friedman contacted a Queens undertaker, asking him to arrange burial for 23-year-old Vivian Grant of New York. Nearly a year later, Friedman was implicated in the death of Barbara Covington.
Edith Green
Edith's boyfriend admitted to police that he had arranged for an abortion to be performed on Edith by Dr. Thomas E. Walsh in 1926.
Jolene Griffith
In March of 1962, Dr. J. Bryan Henrie, an osteopath, performed an abortion on Jolene Joyce Griffith at his clinic in Grove, Oklahoma.
Rose Hannover
In June of 1928, 31-year-old Rose died at the office of Dr. Lester I. Ofner from complications of an abortion performed there that day.
Arretta Hardesty
In 1928, Roy E. Hardesty won an award of $5,000 for the death of his wife, Arretta. Arretta had paid a physician, John T. Martin, $10 for the abortion, which was performed surgically.
Eleanor Haynes
Eleanor Haynes, age 22, died at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey on October 6, 1937, after indicating that Dr. P. Ralph McFeely had performed an abortion on her.
Ida Henry
In 1900, Ida died at the home she shared with Dr. Paulina Bechtel, from complications of an abortion Bechtel had performed on her there that day. Bechtel was also implicated in the death of Barbara Shelgren.
Emma Herod
In 1923, Emma died of an abortion performed in her Chicago home.
Ethel Horner
In October of 1926, 23-year-old Ethel died at Chicago's Jackson park Hospital from an abortion performed earlier that day. Dr. Albert Peacock was arrested the following day.
Louisa Hullsberger
At the 1863 sentencing of Dr. A. L. Alstead, the judge had some harsh words for this criminal abortionist.
Jeanette Jarrett
In October of 1926, Jeanette, a 28-year-old Black woman, died from complications of a criminal abortion performed on her that day. A Black doctor, Roy Shell, was held by the coroner.
Agnes Johnson
In October of 1929, 33-year-old Agnes underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Joseph Stern.
Alice Johnson
In 1923, Alice died at Chicago's West End Hospital from a criminal abortion performed there that day. The coroner identified Dr. Lorenz Lapsky as being responsible.
Anna Johnson
In May of 1915, Anna Johnson died from an abortion performed by Dr. Eva Shaver, who then shot the dead woman in the head to disguise the death as a suicide. Shaver was one of the doctors implicated in the death of Lillie Giovenco.
Doris Jones
Small-town doctor and philanthropist Guy Brewer was fingered in the 1935 abortion death of this 30-year old wife of a grocery clerk.
Matilda Kleinschmidt
In 1930, 20-year-old Matilda died from a criminal abortion, believed to have been performed in the office of Dr. J. Murney Nicholson.
Viola Koepping
On June 7, 1929, 20-year-old Viola died at the office of Dr. Albert West of Chicago, from an abortion evidently performed there that day.
Bessie Kouns
Bessie implicated Dr. H.C. Dorroh in her deathbed statement.
Mrs. Frank Lee
In April of 1932, a young woman died of abortion complications -- 17-year-old Mrs. Frank Lee, a University of Oklahoma co-ed. Richard E. Thacker, a surgeon, was charged with the death. Other deaths attributed to Thacker, in company with Dr. Elsiminger, included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Marie Epperson, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Rose Lefebre
On December 2, 1901, the body of Rose Lefebre was found in the office of Dr. Volbending. It appeared that Rose had died from an abortion.
Ruth Lemaire
Ruth implicated Dr. Lillian Hobbs in a deathbed statement.
Harriet Lichtenberg
On October 18, 1942, 23-year-old Harriet Lichtenberg of Brooklyn died in Royal Hospital, the Bronx, from suspected criminal abortion complications. Dr. Henry Katz was indicted for first degree manslaughter in Harriet's death.
Florence S. Lindquist
On April 26, 1914, eighteen-year-old Florence S. Lindquist died in the Chicago home of Dr. Arthur Schulz.
Rose Lipner
Rose died at Riverdale (maternity) Hospital in late January, 1936. Dr. Maxwell C. Katz, who both operated and lived at Riverdale, signed a death certificate. After the funeral, an anonymous caller notified the police that Rose's death was suspicious.
Barbara Lofrumento
Barbara, a 19-year-old college student, informed her parents that she was pregnant in 1962. Mr. and Mrs. Lofrumento arranged for an abortion by Dr. Harvey Lothringer.
Lottie Lowy
Lottie, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Jean Cohen, and Marie Hicht.
Lola Madison
Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, was arrested in the 1906 abortion death of this 28-year-old woman from Salt Lake City.
Caroline Malinken
Caroline figured that while Dr. Joecken was making a house call, he might as well do an aboriton on her.
Etta Marcus
In 1924, 30-year-old Etta died from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. The coroner concluded that Dr. William J. Wick had performed the fatal abortion at his office.
Margaret Marts
Mrs. Marts went to a Dr. Anderson, who she'd previously never seen. He did not examine her, but made arrangements to go to her home around noon the following day, January 20, 1920, to perform "an operation."
Ellen Matson
Dr. Lillian Hobbs was sentenced to 14 years in Joliet for the 1917 abortion death of 29-year-old Ellen.
Mrs. G.H. Matteson
In May of 1901, Mrs. Matteson, a homemaker, died from an illegal abortion in Chicago. Mrs. Matteson's husband was arrested, as was Dr. J.B. Butts.
Mary McCarty
In 1880, Dr. Banks was arrested for the abortion death of Mary McCarty.
Lillian McCullough
In 1926, Dr. James P. A. Nolan was arrested for the criminal abortion death of 18-year-old Lillian McCullough.
Eunice McElroy
In November of 1928, 21-year-old Eunice died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Thomas J. Ney was indicted.
Madeline McGeehan
In November of 1942, 26-year-old Madeline McGeehan died at Prospect Hospital in New York after an illegal abortion. Arrested were Dr. Joseph Nisonoff; his nurse, Camille Ewald; his receptionist, Pearl Tense; and Dr. Max J. Weinstein, who was thought to have referred Madeline to Nisonoff.
Georgia Marie McGill
Dr. W. R. Mitchell, already a reputed abortionist, was fingered by Marie's father.
Faye McGinnis
In September of 1925, Faye, age 23, died at her home in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. The coroner identified two physicians, Walter Penningdorf and Walter Voight, as being responsible.
Cleo Moore
In March of 1942, 19-year-old Cleo Florence Moore died at New Rochelle Hospital in New York from peritonitis from an illegal abortion. Upon admission, Cleo told authorities that she had taken some pills to induce the abortion, but before her death she changed her story and said that Dr. Frank F. Marino had performed the fatal abortion.
Mary Moorehead
Mary, who died in 1926, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Jean Cohen, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Anna L. Mueller
In June of 1911, 20-year-old Mrs. Anna L. Mueller died from a criminal abortion performed by Dr. George Lotz.
Lydia Nelson
In 1923, Lydia died at Chicago's Englewood Hospital from an abortion blamed on Dr. Charles Klinetop.
Mary Ann Page
Dr. C. E. Trovillion was blamed for the 1940 death of 20-year-old Mary Ann Page of Alton, Illinois.
Mrs. O'Connor
Dr. Arichibald Lawson fled to avoid arrest in Mrs. O'Connors 1883 death.
Elizabeth Palumbo
In 1929, 24-year-old Elizabeth died from a back alley abortion, evidently performed by Dr. Amante (or Amenti) Rongetti. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Loretta Enders.
Mary Park
Two doctors were implicated in Mary's 1917 death. One was sentenced to prison, the other sent to a mental hospital.
Agnes Pearson
In late July of 1941, Mrs. Agnes Pearson of White Plains, New York died at Grasslands Hospital in New York of suspected complications from an abortion. Dr. Nathan Schwartz and Dr. Samuel Schwartz (not related) were charged with manslaughter in Agnes' death.
Sophie Peterson
In 1926, 34-year-old Sophie Peterson died from an illegal abortion performed in the Chicago office of Dr. Frederick Springe.
Julia K. Pettinger
In January of 1901, Mrs. Julia K. Pettinger died in her home from an abortion performed there that day, attributed to Dr. Maggie Becker.
Magdalena Philippi
In March of 1869, Magdalena Philippi died of complications of an abortion performed on her, evidently by a Dr. Gabriel Wolff.
Beulah Pickerill
In August of 1922, 21-year-old Beulah died at Chicago's Mid West Hospital from complications of a criminal abortion performed there that day. Two physicians, Vincent Filletti and Michale Galgano, were blamed for her death.
Gertrude Pinsky
Operating on a tip, police, accompanied by an ambulance, broke into a private home in the Bronx, in April of 1954. There they found Gertrude dead from septic poisoning from an illegal abortion. Police arrested Florence Cavalluzzo, a resident of the home, and Hugo Francese, an unlicensed physician.
Nina Pierce
Nina, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Jean Cohen, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Emma Post
Emma's seducer kept her in brothels while arranging the abortion that took her life.
Gene Raligh
Sometime in the early part of the 20th century, physician and surgeon H. W. Coulter performed an abortion upon Gene Raligh, leading to her death from septicemia.
Jeanette Reder
In December of 1930, 22-year-old Jeanette underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman. Nearly three years earlier, Gleitsman had been implicated in the death of Lucille van Iderstine.
Arhne Reynolds
In April of 1927, Arhne died at the office of Dr. Louis Ginsburg from an abortion performed on her there that day.
Mrs. F.S. Roach
In April of 1932, Mrs. F. S. Roach died of suspected abortion complications. Oklahoma abortion doctors Elsiminger and Thacker were suspected in the case. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Marie Epperson, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Mrs. George W. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson, age 28, died at her Chicago home in August of 1901, from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Muenster was arrested for the death.
"Eudora" Roe
This 17-year-old girl lingered for nearly two months before finally dying of complications of an abortion performed in Wichita, Kansas in 1930.
Jane Roe of '37
In December of 1941, Dr. Samuel Roth was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the illegal abortion death of a woman. Roth, whose license was suspended at the time, performed the abortion in his office on January 16, 1937.
Jane Roe of Newark
Dr. Charles I. Gordon pleaded guilty in the 1937 abortion death of a Newark woman.
"Nina" Roe
In February of 1933, a 22-year-old unmarried store clerk discovered that she was pregnant. On April 8, Nina went to a nursing home operated by a nurse to ask about an abortion. The nurse informed the woman and her lover that Dr. E. T. Martin or another doctor would be able to perform an abortion.
"Sophia" Roe
Patricia G. Miller's book, The Worst of Times, tells of an unnamed young woman I call "Sophia", who went to Pennsylvania to have a back alley abortion performed by Dr. Benjamin King in 1967.
Dorothy Schultz
Dorothy Schultz, 19 years of age, became pregnant in June of 1929. On June 15 or 16, Dorothy's mother brought her to Dr. W. B. Parke in Camp Douglas to arrange an abortion. He examined her and agreed to do an abortion for $150.
Barbara Shelgren
In 1900, Barbara died at Augustana Hospital in Chicago of an abortion performed there that day. Paulina Bechtel, identified elsewhere as a doctor, was implicated in the death. She was also implicated in the death of Ida Henry.
Daisy Singerland
In 1923, Daisy died at Chicago's Robert Burns Hospital from complications of a back alley abortion performed earlier that day.
Anna Mae Smith
In 1928, 20-year-old Anna Mae Smith underwent a fatal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. George F. Slater. Slater, upon learning of Anna Mae's death, committed suicide at his home by taking poison.
Eliza Sowers
A Philadelphia boarding house owner reported that in early October of 1839, a Dr. Henry Chauncey appeared at breakfast time and had her make some special tea. The tea was given to 21-year-old Eliza Sowers, a paper mill worker.
Catherine Stange
Denver city councilman Dr. Daniel R. Lucy was charged with murder in the 1922 abortion death of Catherine Stange.
Elise Stone
Elise was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917. The other was Katherine Cross.
Mary Strugnall
Mary Strugnall, age 17, died January 2, 1929 from an abortion performed that day by Dr. Joseph A. Harter.
Mary Sudik
On February 12, Mrs. Mary Sudik died of infection from an abortion performed two days earlier by Dr. A.B.C. Davis of Oklahoma City.
Eva Swan
In September of 1910, Eva died after a "Dr. Grant" performed an abortion on her. "Dr. Grant," it turned out, was actually a Dr. Robert Thompson, a graduate of Dartmouth and Baltimore Medical College.
Mrs. George Swope
Dr. Smith was arrested, but insisted that Dr. Bottorf had performed the fatal abortion on this coal miner's wife.
Iva Triplett
On March 1, 1921, Dr. C.W. Milliken performed an abortion on Iva J. Triplett.
Lucille van Iderstine
On November 30, 1927, 22-year-old Lucille died in the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman, from an abortion that had been performed on her that day. Gleitsman was also implicated in the death of Jeanette Reder.
Mary Visscher
This young factory worker died in the home of midwife/physicians Elizabeth Byrnes and Mary E. Smith in 1859.
Esther V. Wahlstrom
On December 1, 1928, 23-year-old Esther died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Lou E. Davis was held by the coroner for murder.
Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Anna Borndal and Mary Whitney.
Willie Pearl Walker
In, 1926, Willie, an 18-year-old Black girl, died at her Chicago home from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. A white doctor, Thomas J. New, was identified as responsible.
Jane Ward
On October 17, 1947, Dr. Paul Singer reported that he had taken 22-year-old Jane Ward, heir to the Drake Bakeries fortune, to Park East Hospital, to complete an illegal abortion somebody else had done. Jane died on October 28. Singer was convicted of manslaughter in Jane's death.
Nancy Ward
In February of 1968, Nancy Ward flew from Oklahoma to Kansas city with her boyfriend for an abortion Nancy's father had arranged. Nancy and her boyfriend visited Dr. Richard Mucie.
Amelia Weber
On May 19, 1858, Mrs. Amelia Weber died at the home of Dr. Cobel in Brooklyn. Suspicions were raised and she was exhumed for an investigation.
Susan A. Webster
Susan's uncle and her abortionist were arrested for her death in 1858.
Ruth Weir
On February 16, 1929, Mrs. Ruth Weir, of East Orange, New Jersey, died at Orange Memorial Hospital of sepsis contracted through a criminal abortion. Dr. Maurice Sturm was arrested when Ruth implicated him in a deathbed statement. Elizabeth Welter
Elizabeth, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Jean Cohen, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hecht.
Agnes Wendt
In 1923, Agnes died in a Chicago hospital from an abortion performed there that day.
Irene Wengel
In June of 1902, Irene Wengel traveled to Tampa, Florida, where she was met by her cousin, J. Carl Christian. Christian had arranged for her to stay at the home of Dr. Frederick N. Weightnovel for an abortion.
Belle Wertz
A spontaneous coroner's inquest broke out during the 1874 funeral of abortion victim Belle Wertz. Mary Whitney
On May 18, 1924, 26-year-old Mary Whitney died at St. Mary's Hospital of complications of an abortion performed at the Chicago office of Dr. Lou E. Davis in April.
Dr. Davis was implicated in the death of Anna Borndal and Esther Wahlstrom a few years later.
Ada Williams
Dr. Noble O. Hamilton was blamed for the 1917 death of Ada Williams in Colorado.
Loretta Wilson
On Christmas day of 1934, the nude body of a young woman was found in a thicket near a highway south of New York City. She was identified as 19-year-old Loretta Wilson. Dr. John H. Becker Jr., who admitted to having examined Loretta on December 17, was charged with homicide in the death.
Emma Wolfer
Pregnant by a doctor, working for a doctor, this young woman still died of her abortion in 1865.
Elvira Woodward
Dr. Charles P. Wood admitted that Elvira Woodward had come to his house in Manchester, New Hampshire, on April 1 and remained there until her death on April 27. Wood was convicted of performing her fatal abortion.
Illegal Abortions Done by Doctors
The bulk of illegal abortions were done by physicians. Here are some of the fatal results of their good intentions.
Mary Ackerly
Mary's seducer kept her in a brothel while he arranged for the abortion that took her life in 1846.
Julia Agoston
In 1928, 24-year-old Julia died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Anton Feher and Dr. Helen Moskowitz were held in the death.
Doris Alexander
In 1938, 30-year-old Doris died from a criminal abortion in Oklahoma. John Dillinger's doctor was charged in her death.
Anna Anderson
In October of 1915, Anna, a 25-year-old unmarried woman, went to the office of Dr. A. A. Ausplund seeking an abortion.
Emmy Anderson
In 1929, Dr. Sven Windrow performed a fatal abortion on 19-year-old Emmy at a Chicago location.
Madelyn Anderson
In 1924, Madelyn died at Chicago's Washington Park Hospital from back alley abortion complications. Dr. Louise Achtenberg was arrested for Madelyn's death.
Alice Annalora
In March of 1926, 19-year-old Alice died at the County Hospital in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. Dr. Wilford Vine was booked for Alice's death.
Auna Arola
In 1927, 31-year-old Auna died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Vincent Tonavena was arrested.
Olive Ash
Accompanied by her twin sister, Olivia, Olive went to Dr. William Howard's home to secure an abortion in 1858.
Helen Bain
In November of 1925, 23-year-old Helen died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. George Slater was arrested.
Catherine Barnard
Dr. Virgil Jobe of Oklahoma was charged in the 1969 abortion death of Catherine Barnard of Arvada, Colorado.
Alberta Beard
In March of 1930, Alberta, age 29, died at the office of Dr. Davis Lucas from an abortion performed there that day.
Doris Becker
In December of 1948, Dr. Cyril B. Babb pleaded guilty to performing a fatal abortion on Doris Becker the previous Wednesday in his office.
Jemima Beneway
In February of 1858, Jemima's parents and friends thought they were sending her off to be married, not for a fatal abortion at the hands of Dr. Milton Gray.
Hughretta Binkley
In April of 1898, Hughretta "Etta" Binkley went to the residence/office of Dr. Belle Howard, aka Belle Shotwell, for an illegal abortion.
Alice Bloom
Some time in early 1905, 28-year-old Alice Bloom died suddenly in Chicago from an apparent criminal abortion. Dr. Julius N. Goltz as arrested as a principal.
Anna Borndal
In November of 1928, 22-year-old Anna died at the office of Dr. Lou E. Davis of Chicago, from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Esther Wahlstrom and Mary Whitney.
Irma Brown
In November of 1901, 22-year-old Irma Brown of Garden City, Kansas, died at County Hospital from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Robert E. Gray was arrested.
Cora Burke
Cora A. Burke was a 20-year-old who had been widowed about five months. In May of 1899, Cora told Mrs. Martha Johnson that she was about six weeks pregnant and wanted to find a good doctor to perform an abortion. Mrs. Johnson introduced Cora to Dr. R. J. Alcorn.
Annette Camorato
In May of 1934, 19-year-old actress Annette Camorato, stage name Toni Morgan, died of abortion complications. Dr. Harry A. Felice was charged with homicide in Annette's death.
Irene Campbell
In August of 1927, Irene died in the Chicago office of Dr. Herman Webber from an abortion performed there that day.
Amelia Cardito
In February of 1944, Amelia Cardito, 34-year-old mother of 4, underwent an illegal abortion at the office of Dr. Anthony Renda.
Emma Chandler
Dr. J. A. Richmond was arrested for the 1913 abortion death of Emma Chandler.
Joyce Chorney
Joyce Chorney, age 25, died in November of 1953. Fifty-four-year-old Dr. Alfred Joseph was charged with criminal abortion in her death.
Alda Christopherson
Dr. Lillian Hobbs was convicted in the 1916 abortion death of this 21-year-old unmarried Chicago woman.
Jennie P. Clark
Jennie's body was found stuffed into a trunk tossed into the Saugus River in 1879.
Virginia Clark
In February of 1929, Virginia Clark died of complications of a botched, illegal abortion. Virginia was treated prior to her death by a Dr. McArthur, who said that Virginia told him that when she learned that she was pregnant, the man responsible arranged for an abortion to be performed by a doctor.
Jean Cohen
Jean, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Lizzie Cook
Suspicious surrounding this woman's death led to an exhumation which uncovered the abortion.
Alice Corbett
In October of 1939, Miss Alice Corbett, age 28, of Brooklyn, New York, died from complications of an illegal abortion. Dr. Allen F. Murphy was sentenced to 2-10 years in Sing-Sing for Alice's death.
Barbara Covington
Dr. Mandel M. Friedman was charged with homicide in the September, 1962 death of Barbara C. Covington, age 35, a Florida socialite. Nearly a year earlier, he had been implicated in the death of Vivian Grant.
Katherine Cross
Katherine was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917. The other was Elise Stone.
Ethel Crowell
Ethel, age 20, died in April of 1930, in the office of Dr. Hans Paulsen, from an abortion performed on her that day.
Roberta Danks
Roberta's abortionist battered and dumped her body to try to make it seem she'd been a hit-and-run victim.
Mary Davies
In December of 1956, 26-year-old Mary Davies of New York City arrived in the Ashland, Pennsylvania office of abortionist Dr. Robert Douglas Spencer. She was seeking an abortion.
Nancy Dawson
In March of 1927, Nancy died on-site from a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. J.F. Peck and midwife Christine Sedwig were booked for murder.
Evelyn Dellorto
In 1930, Evelyn, age 20, died from an illegal abortion believed to have been performed at the office of Dr. Frank Psota.
Katherine DiDonato
In October of 1936, 26-year-old Katherine DiDonato, mother of two, was admitted to Roosevelt Hospital to be treated for complications of a criminal abortion. Detectives were told that Katherine had bought pills from drug clerk Hyman Kantor, who had then recommended Dr. Aloysius Mulholland to perform an abortion.
Gussie Ellergood
In July of 1882, Gussie Ellergood of Carlisle, Illinois, died in a St. Louis hospital. She named Dr. McWilliams as her abortionist.
Loretta Enders
Dr. Amenti Rongetti's death sentence was handed down by a Chicago jury in March of1928. Rongetti had been convicted of murder in the abortion death of 19-year-old Loretta Enders. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Elizabeth Palumbo.
Marie Epperson
The total number of deaths attributed to Oklahoma abortion doctors Thacker and Elsiminger was eight. Marie Epperson died in 1930. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Edith Eschrich
On New Years Eve of 1935, criminal abortion charges were dropped against Dr. Tobias Ginsberg, and his nurse, because of insufficient evidence. The two were suspects in the death of 24-year-old Mrs. Edith Eschrich.
Isobel Ferguson
In April of 1932, Mrs. Isobel F. Ferguson died of suspected abortion complications. Two physicians in the University of Oklahoma area, J. W. Elsiminger and Richard E. Thacker, were suspected in the case. Other victims included Marie Epperson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Beatrice Fisher
In 1945, Beatrice died after an abortion performed in his office by Dr. Frank C. Hart in Seattle.
Betty Fisher
In June of 1925, 24-year-old Betty died in the Chicago office of doctors August Goetz and Henry Gautsen from an abortion performed that day.
Mary Foorman
Mary disappeared without a trace in November of 1875. It wasn't until the following May that her brother confessed to helping bury her in a swamp after she died in an abortion he helped to arrange.
Shellane Franklin
In 1927, 27-year-old Shellane, a Black woman, died at the scene of the crime from an abortion performed on her that day. Dr. Gordon Jackson, a white man, was held by the coroner.
Florence Gaiewski
In September of 1903, Mrs. Florence Gaiewski died in St. Mary's Hospital in Chicago from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Ladislaw Slominski was arrested.
Winifred Garver
In June of 1929, 19-year-old Winifred Garver underwent an abortion at the office of Dr. Anna Schultz, aka Rollins.
Mrs. Gies
Shortly after the 1908 abortion death of Mrs. Gies, her abortionist was poisoned.
Lillie Giovenco
In October of 1914, 18-year-old Lillie Giovenco died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion blamed on Drs. Eva Shaver, Leopold Pijan, and John Fernow. Shaver was also responsible for the death of Anna Johnson.
Vivian Grant
In January of 1961, Dr. Mandel M. Friedman contacted a Queens undertaker, asking him to arrange burial for 23-year-old Vivian Grant of New York. Nearly a year later, Friedman was implicated in the death of Barbara Covington.
Edith Green
Edith's boyfriend admitted to police that he had arranged for an abortion to be performed on Edith by Dr. Thomas E. Walsh in 1926.
Jolene Griffith
In March of 1962, Dr. J. Bryan Henrie, an osteopath, performed an abortion on Jolene Joyce Griffith at his clinic in Grove, Oklahoma.
Ruth Hall
In April of 1932, Ruth Hall died of suspected abortion complications. Oklahoma City abortion doctors Elsiminger and Thacker were suspects. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Marie Epperson, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Rose Hannover
In June of 1928, 31-year-old Rose died at the office of Dr. Lester I. Ofner from complications of an abortion performed there that day.
Arretta Hardesty
In 1928, Roy E. Hardesty won an award of $5,000 for the death of his wife, Arretta. Arretta had paid a physician, John T. Martin, $10 for the abortion, which was performed surgically.
Eleanor Haynes
Eleanor Haynes, age 22, died at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey on October 6, 1937, after indicating that Dr. P. Ralph McFeely had performed an abortion on her.
Ida Henry
In 1900, Ida died at the home she shared with Dr. Paulina Bechtel, from complications of an abortion Bechtel had performed on her there that day. Bechtel was also implicated in the death of Barbara Shelgren.
Emma Herod
In 1923, Emma died of an abortion performed in her Chicago home.
Marie Hicht
Marie, who died in 1899, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Jean Cohen.
Ethel Horner
In October of 1926, 23-year-old Ethel died at Chicago's Jackson park Hospital from an abortion performed earlier that day. Dr. Albert Peacock was arrested the following day.
Annie Horvatich
Annie, who died in 1907, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Louisa Hullsberger
At the 1863 sentencing of Dr. A. L. Alstead, the judge had some harsh words for this criminal abortionist.
Jeanette Jarrett
In October of 1926, Jeanette, a 28-year-old Black woman, died from complications of a criminal abortion performed on her that day. A Black doctor, Roy Shell, was held by the coroner.
Agnes Johnson
In October of 1929, 33-year-old Agnes underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Joseph Stern.
Alice Johnson
In 1923, Alice died at Chicago's West End Hospital from a criminal abortion performed there that day. The coroner identified Dr. Lorenz Lapsky as being responsible.
Anna Johnson
In May of 1915, Anna Johnson died from an abortion performed by Dr. Eva Shaver, who then shot the dead woman in the head to disguise the death as a suicide. Shaver was one of the doctors implicated in the death of Lillie Giovenco.
Doris Jones
Small-town doctor and philanthropist Guy Brewer was fingered in the 1935 abortion death of this 30-year old wife of a grocery clerk.
Matilda Kleinschmidt
In 1930, 20-year-old Matilda died from a criminal abortion, believed to have been performed in the office of Dr. J. Murney Nicholson.
Viola Koepping
On June 7, 1929, 20-year-old Viola died at the office of Dr. Albert West of Chicago, from an abortion evidently performed there that day.
Bessie Kouns
Bessie implicated Dr. H.C. Dorroh in her deathbed statement.
Mrs. Frank Lee
In April of 1932, a young woman died of abortion complications -- 17-year-old Mrs. Frank Lee, a University of Oklahoma co-ed. Richard E. Thacker, a surgeon, was charged with the death. Other deaths attributed to Thacker, in company with Dr. Elsiminger, included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Marie Epperson, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Rose Lefebre
On December 2, 1901, the body of Rose Lefebre was found in the office of Dr. Volbending. It appeared that Rose had died from an abortion.
Ruth Lemaire
Ruth implicated Dr. Lillian Hobbs in a deathbed statement.
Harriet Lichtenberg
On October 18, 1942, 23-year-old Harriet Lichtenberg of Brooklyn died in Royal Hospital, the Bronx, from suspected criminal abortion complications. Dr. Henry Katz was indicted for first degree manslaughter in Harriet's death.
Florence S. Lindquist
On April 26, 1914, eighteen-year-old Florence S. Lindquist died in the Chicago home of Dr. Arthur Schulz.
Rose Lipner
Rose died at Riverdale (maternity) Hospital in late January, 1936. Dr. Maxwell C. Katz, who both operated and lived at Riverdale, signed a death certificate. After the funeral, an anonymous caller notified the police that Rose's death was suspicious.
Barbara Lofrumento
Barbara, a 19-year-old college student, informed her parents that she was pregnant in 1962. Mr. and Mrs. Lofrumento arranged for an abortion by Dr. Harvey Lothringer.
Lottie Lowy
Lottie, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Jean Cohen, and Marie Hicht.
Lola Madison
Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, was arrested in the 1906 abortion death of this 28-year-old woman from Salt Lake City.
Caroline Malinken
Caroline figured that while Dr. Joecken was making a house call, he might as well do an aboriton on her.
Etta Marcus
In 1924, 30-year-old Etta died from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. The coroner concluded that Dr. William J. Wick had performed the fatal abortion at his office.
Margaret Marts
Mrs. Marts went to a Dr. Anderson, who she'd previously never seen. He did not examine her, but made arrangements to go to her home around noon the following day, January 20, 1920, to perform "an operation."
Bridget Masterson
Bridget, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Jean Cohen, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Ellen Matson
Dr. Lillian Hobbs was sentenced to 14 years in Joliet for the 1917 abortion death of 29-year-old Ellen.
Mrs. G.H. Matteson
In May of 1901, Mrs. Matteson, a homemaker, died from an illegal abortion in Chicago. Mrs. Matteson's husband was arrested, as was Dr. J.B. Butts.
Mary McCarty
In 1880, Dr. Banks was arrested for the abortion death of Mary McCarty.
Lillian McCullough
In 1926, Dr. James P. A. Nolan was arrested for the criminal abortion death of 18-year-old Lillian McCullough.
Eunice McElroy
In November of 1928, 21-year-old Eunice died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Thomas J. Ney was indicted.
Madeline McGeehan
In November of 1942, 26-year-old Madeline McGeehan died at Prospect Hospital in New York after an illegal abortion. Arrested were Dr. Joseph Nisonoff; his nurse, Camille Ewald; his receptionist, Pearl Tense; and Dr. Max J. Weinstein, who was thought to have referred Madeline to Nisonoff.
Georgia Marie McGill
Dr. W. R. Mitchell, already a reputed abortionist, was fingered by Marie's father.
Faye McGinnis
In September of 1925, Faye, age 23, died at her home in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. The coroner identified two physicians, Walter Penningdorf and Walter Voight, as being responsible.
Cleo Moore
In March of 1942, 19-year-old Cleo Florence Moore died at New Rochelle Hospital in New York from peritonitis from an illegal abortion. Upon admission, Cleo told authorities that she had taken some pills to induce the abortion, but before her death she changed her story and said that Dr. Frank F. Marino had performed the fatal abortion.
Mary Moorehead
Mary, who died in 1926, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Jean Cohen, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Anna L. Mueller
In June of 1911, 20-year-old Mrs. Anna L. Mueller died from a criminal abortion performed by Dr. George Lotz.
Lydia Nelson
In 1923, Lydia died at Chicago's Englewood Hospital from an abortion blamed on Dr. Charles Klinetop.
Mary Ann Page
Dr. C. E. Trovillion was blamed for the 1940 death of 20-year-old Mary Ann Page of Alton, Illinois.
Mrs. O'Connor
Dr. Arichibald Lawson fled to avoid arrest in Mrs. O'Connors 1883 death.
Elizabeth Palumbo
In 1929, 24-year-old Elizabeth died from a back alley abortion, evidently performed by Dr. Amante (or Amenti) Rongetti. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Loretta Enders.
Mary Park
Two doctors were implicated in Mary's 1917 death. One was sentenced to prison, the other sent to a mental hospital.
Agnes Pearson
In late July of 1941, Mrs. Agnes Pearson of White Plains, New York died at Grasslands Hospital in New York of suspected complications from an abortion. Dr. Nathan Schwartz and Dr. Samuel Schwartz (not related) were charged with manslaughter in Agnes' death.
Sophie Peterson
In 1926, 34-year-old Sophie Peterson died from an illegal abortion performed in the Chicago office of Dr. Frederick Springe.
Julia K. Pettinger
In January of 1901, Mrs. Julia K. Pettinger died in her home from an abortion performed there that day, attributed to Dr. Maggie Becker.
Magdalena Philippi
In March of 1869, Magdalena Philippi died of complications of an abortion performed on her, evidently by a Dr. Gabriel Wolff.
Beulah Pickerill
In August of 1922, 21-year-old Beulah died at Chicago's Mid West Hospital from complications of a criminal abortion performed there that day. Two physicians, Vincent Filletti and Michale Galgano, were blamed for her death.
Gertrude Pinsky
Operating on a tip, police, accompanied by an ambulance, broke into a private home in the Bronx, in April of 1954. There they found Gertrude dead from septic poisoning from an illegal abortion. Police arrested Florence Cavalluzzo, a resident of the home, and Hugo Francese, an unlicensed physician.
Nina Pierce
Nina, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Jean Cohen, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
Emma Post
Emma's seducer kept her in brothels while arranging the abortion that took her life.
May Putnam
May, who died in 1905, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Jean Cohen, and Marie Hicht.
Gene Raligh
Sometime in the early part of the 20th century, physician and surgeon H. W. Coulter performed an abortion upon Gene Raligh, leading to her death from septicemia.
Jeanette Reder
In December of 1930, 22-year-old Jeanette underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman. Nearly three years earlier, Gleitsman had been implicated in the death of Lucille van Iderstine.
Arhne Reynolds
In April of 1927, Arhne died at the office of Dr. Louis Ginsburg from an abortion performed on her there that day.
Mrs. F.S. Roach
In April of 1932, Mrs. F. S. Roach died of suspected abortion complications. Oklahoma abortion doctors Elsiminger and Thacker were suspected in the case. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Marie Epperson, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
Mrs. George W. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson, age 28, died at her Chicago home in August of 1901, from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Muenster was arrested for the death.
"Eudora" Roe
This 17-year-old girl lingered for nearly two months before finally dying of complications of an abortion performed in Wichita, Kansas in 1930.
Jane Roe of '37
In December of 1941, Dr. Samuel Roth was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the illegal abortion death of a woman. Roth, whose license was suspended at the time, performed the abortion in his office on January 16, 1937.
Jane Roe of Newark
Dr. Charles I. Gordon pleaded guilty in the 1937 abortion death of a Newark woman.
"Nina" Roe
In February of 1933, a 22-year-old unmarried store clerk discovered that she was pregnant. On April 8, Nina went to a nursing home operated by a nurse to ask about an abortion. The nurse informed the woman and her lover that Dr. E. T. Martin or another doctor would be able to perform an abortion.
"Sophia" Roe
Patricia G. Miller's book, The Worst of Times, tells of an unnamed young woman I call "Sophia", who went to Pennsylvania to have a back alley abortion performed by Dr. Benjamin King in 1967.
Dorothy Schultz
Dorothy Schultz, 19 years of age, became pregnant in June of 1929. On June 15 or 16, Dorothy's mother brought her to Dr. W. B. Parke in Camp Douglas to arrange an abortion. He examined her and agreed to do an abortion for $150.
Barbara Shelgren
In 1900, Barbara died at Augustana Hospital in Chicago of an abortion performed there that day. Paulina Bechtel, identified elsewhere as a doctor, was implicated in the death. She was also implicated in the death of Ida Henry.
Daisy Singerland
In 1923, Daisy died at Chicago's Robert Burns Hospital from complications of a back alley abortion performed earlier that day.
Anna Mae Smith
In 1928, 20-year-old Anna Mae Smith underwent a fatal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. George F. Slater. Slater, upon learning of Anna Mae's death, committed suicide at his home by taking poison.
Eliza Sowers
A Philadelphia boarding house owner reported that in early October of 1839, a Dr. Henry Chauncey appeared at breakfast time and had her make some special tea. The tea was given to 21-year-old Eliza Sowers, a paper mill worker.
Catherine Stange
Denver city councilman Dr. Daniel R. Lucy was charged with murder in the 1922 abortion death of Catherine Stange.
Elise Stone
Elise was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917. The other was Katherine Cross.
Mary Strugnall
Mary Strugnall, age 17, died January 2, 1929 from an abortion performed that day by Dr. Joseph A. Harter.
Mary Sudik
On February 12, Mrs. Mary Sudik died of infection from an abortion performed two days earlier by Dr. A.B.C. Davis of Oklahoma City.
Eva Swan
In September of 1910, Eva died after a "Dr. Grant" performed an abortion on her. "Dr. Grant," it turned out, was actually a Dr. Robert Thompson, a graduate of Dartmouth and Baltimore Medical College.
Mrs. George Swope
Dr. Smith was arrested, but insisted that Dr. Bottorf had performed the fatal abortion on this coal miner's wife.
Robbie Lou Thompson
In 1932, Richard E. Thacker, a surgeon, was charged with murder in the abortion death of Robbie Lou Thompson. Other deaths attributed to Thacker included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Marie Epperson.
Iva Triplett
On March 1, 1921, Dr. C.W. Milliken performed an abortion on Iva J. Triplett.
Lucille van Iderstine
On November 30, 1927, 22-year-old Lucille died in the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman, from an abortion that had been performed on her that day. Gleitsman was also implicated in the death of Jeanette Reder.
Mary Visscher
This young factory worker died in the home of midwife/physicians Elizabeth Byrnes and Mary E. Smith in 1859.
Esther V. Wahlstrom
On December 1, 1928, 23-year-old Esther died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Lou E. Davis was held by the coroner for murder.
Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Anna Borndal and Mary Whitney.
Willie Pearl Walker
In, 1926, Willie, an 18-year-old Black girl, died at her Chicago home from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. A white doctor, Thomas J. New, was identified as responsible.
Jane Ward
On October 17, 1947, Dr. Paul Singer reported that he had taken 22-year-old Jane Ward, heir to the Drake Bakeries fortune, to Park East Hospital, to complete an illegal abortion somebody else had done. Jane died on October 28. Singer was convicted of manslaughter in Jane's death.
Nancy Ward
In February of 1968, Nancy Ward flew from Oklahoma to Kansas city with her boyfriend for an abortion Nancy's father had arranged. Nancy and her boyfriend visited Dr. Richard Mucie.
Amelia Weber
On May 19, 1858, Mrs. Amelia Weber died at the home of Dr. Cobel in Brooklyn. Suspicions were raised and she was exhumed for an investigation.
Susan A. Webster
Susan's uncle and her abortionist were arrested for her death in 1858.
Ruth Weir
On February 16, 1929, Mrs. Ruth Weir, of East Orange, New Jersey, died at Orange Memorial Hospital of sepsis contracted through a criminal abortion. Dr. Maurice Sturm was arrested when Ruth implicated him in a deathbed statement.
Elizabeth Welter
Elizabeth, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Jean Cohen, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hecht.
Agnes Wendt
In 1923, Agnes died in a Chicago hospital from an abortion performed there that day.
Irene Wengel
In June of 1902, Irene Wengel traveled to Tampa, Florida, where she was met by her cousin, J. Carl Christian. Christian had arranged for her to stay at the home of Dr. Frederick N. Weightnovel for an abortion.
Belle Wertz
A spontaneous coroner's inquest broke out during the 1874 funeral of abortion victim Belle Wertz.
Mary Whitney
On May 18, 1924, 26-year-old Mary Whitney died at St. Mary's Hospital of complications of an abortion performed at the Chicago office of Dr. Lou E. Davis in April.
Dr. Davis was implicated in the death of Anna Borndal and Esther Wahlstrom a few years later.
Ada Williams
Dr. Noble O. Hamilton was blamed for the 1917 death of Ada Williams in Colorado.
Loretta Wilson
On Christmas day of 1934, the nude body of a young woman was found in a thicket near a highway south of New York City. She was identified as 19-year-old Loretta Wilson. Dr. John H. Becker Jr., who admitted to having examined Loretta on December 17, was charged with homicide in the death.
Emma Wolfer
Pregnant by a doctor, working for a doctor, this young woman still died of her abortion in 1865.
Elvira Woodward
Dr. Charles P. Wood admitted that Elvira Woodward had come to his house in Manchester, New Hampshire, on April 1 and remained there until her death on April 27. Wood was convicted of performing her fatal abortion.
Virginia Wyckoff
J.W. Elsiminger was an osteopath in Oklahoma City. He alone was the suspect in the abortion death of Virginia Lee Wyckoff, a 21-year-old student at the University of Oklahmoa. Virginia died April 24, 1932. Other deaths attributed to Elsiminger included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Marie Epperson, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.